It is with deep regret that we inform you that our mother, Elizabeth Huestis Hansen, passed away at home, on Saturday morning. Some of you may have been aware of Mum's sudden illness. As you can imagine this weighed heavily on our family. We would like to tell you a little about our mother. Mum was born at home, in Douglas, NB to Ray and Nellie Parent. She spent her summers alternating time with her Grandmother Parent and her Grandmother Huestis, both of whom were very dear to her. After graduation she worked in a Furniture Store in Saint John for about one year - until she was accepted in the Nursing Program at the Victoria Public Hospital in Fredericton. A little over two years into her training she had to leave due to illness in her family and she was needed at home. A year or so passed and she approached the Victoria Public Hospital about finishing her training and was advised she would have to start from the beginning. She was accepted into 2nd year at the L.P. Fisher Hospital in Woodstock. This meant she had only one year to repeat as opposed to starting from the beginning. As a student nurse she met and fell in love with a young patient, an ex-soldier. After 18 months of dating and much to the chagrin of her parents, she eloped with this young man. At this time student nurses were not allowed to marry until they had graduated so their wedding had to be kept a secret or she would be expelled from school. After Mum's Nursing Graduation she and Dad rented a small house in Upper Woodstock. Mum worked part-time at the hospital and also did some private duty nursing. Within a couple of years the family started, they bought a piece of land and started to build a family home. She continued to work part time as the family grew- her 'perfect family-two girls and two boys.' In 1956 she stopped having babies and returned to work full-time, raised a family and was active in may organizations in the community. Mum was involved with the Legion Auxiliary, W.I., Nurse's Alumni, The Orange Lodge, the Rebekkah Lodge, and for 20 years she was a Blood Procurement Officer for the Red Cross in the Woodstock area. She became a Life member of the Woodstock Branch of the VON, and started the first VON Foot Care Clinic in the province of New Brunswick. In 1970 Mum was forced into retirement due to ill health. A year or two later she was approached and asked to spearhead a campaign to raise money to purchase the first cardiac defibrillator for the Carleton Memorial Hospital. This she achieved in record time. Going to church each Sunday was a ritual she looked forward to. Dad retired at a relatively young age and they really enjoyed their time together. They bought and renovated an old cottage at East Grand Lake; they enjoyed travelling, entertaining friends and spending time with their family. They had over twenty years of retirement bliss. Our mother was always very proud of her family and supportive of us whether she approved or not and we, in turn, are very proud of our mother. We would like everyone be aware of the positive impact, not only on her children, but on the lives of so many others's and we feel she left a wonderful legacy. May God Bless your soul. WE LOVE YOU MUM. Your sons and daughters, Susanne (Rodney), Jack (Shelli), Rhonda (Jimmy), Bruce (Mary). Your grandchildren, Rachel (Jeff), Sara (Robin), Billy (Nicole), Lindsey (Scott), Michelle, Ray, Michael, Kathryn, Peter, Andrew and great grandson, Brandon. Our mother was predeceased by her husband, Ejnar, her parents, H. Ray and Nellie, her brother, Lewis and his wife Jennie, grandson, Billy Bert, and beloved nephew, Everett and his wife Shirley, and nephew, Barry. Donations may be made to the Jacksonville United Church Building Fund or a charity of your choice. Visitation will be Monday, November 23, 2009, 7-9 pm at the Carleton Funeral Home in Jacksonville. The Funeral will be from the Jacksonville United Church at 2 pm, Tuesday November 24, 2009. Internment will be at Wakefield Cemetery. Service Information